Health and Safety

We know circumstances are tough right now. Your anxiety, your stress, your worry, your struggles; they are real. Know that your Farm Bureau family is here. We're listening. The agriculture community is strong and resilient, and we know we will get through this by working together. Be sure you're doing all you can to stay health, both physically and mentally. Check on your family, your neighbors, and your friends during this time of isolation. And don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help.

Governor Pritzker put forth an Executive Order that expands telehealth coverage to Medicaid and private insurance patients. Per the Executive Order and emergency rules, Medicaid and private insurance providers are called to reimburse plan holders for the use of telemedicine at the same rate as in-person visits. Additionally, the expansion of telehealth covers not just COVID-19 services, but also a list of other appropriate health care needs, including mental health services. This coverage is in effect for the duration of the Governor’s Disaster Proclamation for COVID-19.

Safety on the Farm

Now is the time to be aware of the need to limit exposure and risks related to COVID-19 for you and everyone who lives and works on your farm.

As always, it is critical to practice biosecurity for the safety of animals and the public. It is now critical to also consider ways to limit person-to-person contact, congregate in settings of no more than ten people, and maintain social distance of six feet. What does that look like on your farm?

Encourage your members to take steps now to develop a farm plan for this virus, and to communicate that plan on a regular basis with all who live and work on their farm. This situation is changing daily, so we also encourage repeated conversations over the coming weeks. Penn State Extension has created a document to help farms develop plans. This resource can be found here.

The CDC has developed excellent materials, including posters that you can display on site to help everyone understand the best ways to protect themselves from the virus. These can be found here.

Consider who is coming to your farm – employees and visitors. Consider logging or tracking that information which could help in the event of a positive case in your area. Screen and distance arriving workers to ensure health and safety.

Limit person-to-person interactions and create more distance between workers out in the field.

Set up handwashing and sanitation stations in accessible places. If you share equipment, do you have a plan to sanitize frequently touched surfaces?

And, heaven forbid you experience a positive virus case in your family or your workforce. What is your plan to help support those who fall sick, including quarantine and health care measures, while still moving forward with the work that has to be done this season? Cornell University has created checklists to help mitigate risk and document any illness here.

We are working with our colleagues at AFBF and other state Farm Bureaus to make sure we offer suggestions and recommendations specific to farmers as they are available. The most important thing now is that you are thinking about it and communicating with your family and employees consistently in the coming weeks.

We know stress is high this time of year and the virus can feel both far away and close at the same time. Making a plan for your farm can help you take some control over this unprecedented situation. We’re here to support you.

N-95 Mask Donations

County Farm Bureaus across Illinois are collecting unused N-95 masks to donate to local hospitals, medical professionals and organizations in need. All items should be in the manufacturer's original packaging and unopened. If you have any extra masks on your farm, check the chart below to see drop off instructions at your county Farm Bureau.

Drop box is located outside the main entrance. Individuals can drop off masks at any time. If anyone in the county would like to donate masks that doesn’t feel comfortable going out, contact Allison to arrange a pick-up.